Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Chrystia Freeland waits to appear before the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade Tuesday February 18, 2020 in Ottawa. Freeland says she wants to make Canada's trade negotiations more "transparent," by agreeing to proposals from the New Democrats to provide more details of future deals. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The head of the Public Health Agency of Canada says several Canadians are in serious condition with the new coronavirus in Japan, and one is also in serious clinical shape in Canada.
Doctor Theresa Tam says all the other 32 cases in Canada are mildly ill, and several have recovered completely.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland chaired the first meeting of the Trudeau government's new committee on the coronavirus outbreak.
She says the panel takes its cue from science on managing the virus known as COVID-19.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu (HY-doo) says if there ever is an outbreak in communities in Canada the country can deal with it.